INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION (IEC)

Group 5
Alutaya, Ma. Catherine Joy
Datu, John Lenard
Fabelico, Vince Juancho

INTRODUCTION
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a global standards body that
creates and disseminates technical standards for electrical, electronic, and related technologies. It
collaborates with industries, governments, and experts around the world to develop
recommendations that improve product and system compatibility, safety, and efficiency. The IEC's
work spans power production, renewable energy, semiconductors, and telecommunications,
establishing a standard framework for worldwide trade and interoperability.
This narrative report will delve into the profound influence and practical application of the
IEC's work, particularly within the context of the Philippines. While the Philippine Electrical Code
(PEC) provides the mandatory standards for electrical work in the country, it is deeply intertwined
with and influenced by international bodies like the IEC. Specifically, the PEC's requirements
address the fundamental principles of protection for safety contained in the IEC's own standard,
IEC 60364-1, which aims to minimize electrical hazards and ensure the safety of people and
property. By examining the IEC's foundational principles, historical evolution, and key standards,
this report aims to clarify the relationship between global recommendations and local regulations.
We will explore the organization's purpose, its historical development and old versions, the
composition of its committees and membership, and its general and specific standards, providing a
comprehensive overview of how a global framework shapes the electrical landscape in the
Philippines.

MISSION AND VISION

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has a distinct objective and vision
for its position in the global economy. Its primary aim is to encourage the global adoption of its
international standards and conformity assessment systems. This is done to improve the overall
safety, efficiency, dependability, and interoperability of all electrical, electronic, and information
technology. The IEC's goal in building this standard technical foundation is to improve
international trade, make electricity more accessible, and enable a more sustainable society.

The IEC's mission and vision serve as guiding principles for all of its activities, ensuring
that every standard issued promotes safety, innovation, and worldwide collaboration. These key
values also show how the IEC balances technological innovation with social responsibility, notably
in terms of sustainability and accessibility. With this basis established, it is crucial to examine the
IEC's history to understand how the organization grew to become a cornerstone of the global
electrical and electronics sector.

HISTORY
The rapid advancement of electrical and electronic technologies propelled the Second
Industrial Revolution forward. However, as early as the 1880s, a lack of uniform vocabulary,
measurements, and ratings inhibited progress and slowed global market development. This issue
 INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION (IEC)

was illustrated at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, where the "Palace of Electricity" exhibited the
industry's chaos: exhibitions used a wide variety of voltages, different types of alternating and
direct current, and a large range of incompatible plugs and connectors.

Recognizing the crucial need for standardization, the International Electrical Congress at
the fair advocated establishing a permanent international commission. On June 26-27, 1906, the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) was founded in London as a direct result of this
suggestion. The IEC was officially created at its initial meeting at the Hotel Cecil, chaired by
Alexander Siemens. Representatives from major industrial nations, including Austria, Belgium,
Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Holland, Hungary, Switzerland, Spain, Japan, and the
United States, participated. Notably, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark were also founding members,
even if not physically present at the first meeting. The meeting's most significant outcome was the
election of Lord Kelvin as the Commission's first President, with Charles Le Maistre serving as
acting Secretary, a role he would hold for decades.

PRESENT

President of IEC - Jo Cops (2023-present)

Secretary & CEO of IEC - Philippe Metzger

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION (IEC) PROCESS

The IEC has a defined process for developing a new standard. The "revision" stage is part
of the maintenance process, which occurs after the standard has been published. Here are the key
stages before a standard's first publication or a major revision.

Stages of Development Before Revision

1. Preliminary Stage: Projects are first considered here, even if they aren't ready for
immediate development. This stage is used to create an initial draft and the new work item
proposal.
2. Proposal Stage: A new work item proposal (NP) is submitted to the relevant Technical
Committee (TP) or subcommittee (SC). The proposal must be approved by a two-thirds
majority of the participating members.
3. Preparatory Stage: A working group of experts, led by a project leader, prepares a
working draft. Multiple working drafts may be developed until the working group is
satisfied with the technical solution.
4. Committee Stage: The working draft becomes a committee draft and is circulated to all
IEC member countries for comments and approval. This is the most critical stage for
reaching a consensus on the technical content.
5. Enquiry Stage: The committee draft is approved for a vote as a committee draft for vote.
This is the final stage where major technical comments can be taken into consideration. It
is submitted for a 12-week voting period and is approved if a two-thirds majority of P-
members (NP, TP, and NC) vote in favor and no more than 25% of the total votes are
negative. If approved, it moves to publication.
 INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION (IEC)

6. Approval Stage: The final draft international standard is submitted to all member countries
for a final "Yes/No" vote. If the FDIS is approved, the new standard is published.

MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE
● General Assembly - Is the supreme governing body of the Commission. This consists of
the Full Member National Committees of the Commission. The General Assembly
delegates the management of and oversight over all the Commission's work to the IEC
Board.
● IEC Board - Is the core executive body of the Commission and reports to the General
Assembly. The IEC Board consists of Officers (without vote) and 15 individual members.
It is chaired by the IEC President. Individuals on the IEC Board have a fiduciary
responsibility to the Commission and its Members.
● Business Advisory Committee – IEC board delegates to the Business Advisory
Committee (BAC) the coordination of financial planning and outlook, commercial policies
and activities as well as organizational (information technology) infrastructure in support
of the IEC Board. This comprises 4 members of the IEC Board, 15 members from National
Committees and the Officers (without vote).
● President’s Committee – It is tasked to advise and support the IEC Board on matters
essential for the optimal functioning of the Commission. The PresCom consists of the
Officers and is chaired by the IEC President.
● Advisory Groups - The IEC Board may establish advisory groups to address specific
matters not addressed by other bodies reporting to the IEC Board or to provide advice on
projects or specific matters of a non-recurrent and time-limited nature.
o Governance Review and Audit Committee (GRAC) - is an advisory group that
assists in providing independent oversight of governance of the Commission,
ensuring the financial security and compliance of the Commission, and reducing
potential risk in current (financial) operations.
o Diversity Advisory Committee (DAC) - Promotes fairness and inclusion,
ensuring diversity in gender, region, and expertise across IEC activities.
o IEC Forum (IF) – Thiis a cooperative platform for the Secretaries, Managers and
lead administrators of National Committees to share views on issues and matters
of interest. The IEC Forum should communicate with and provide feedback to the
IEC Board and other bodies reporting to the IEC Board as appropriate.
● Conformity Assessment Board - The IEC Board delegates to the Conformity Assessment
Board (CAB) the management, including operational and financial management, of the
conformity assessment (CA) activities of the Commission.

IEC Conformity Assessment Systems:

o CAB Working groups - establishes Working Groups (WGs) to accomplish tasks
within its responsibilities which require more, or more specialized, preparation and
discussion than can be accommodated within the framework of the twice-yearly
CAB meetings.
o IECEE - “IEC System for Conformity Assessment Schemes for Electrotechnical
Equipment and Components” is a multilateral certification system based on IEC
International Standards. Its Members use the principle of mutual recognition
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(reciprocal acceptance) of test results to obtain certification or approval at national

levels around the world.
o IECEx - To be IECEx certified, all products must go through a monitored process
by the International Electrotechnical Commission to ensure that they meet the
minimum safety requirements. This process will determine if the products can be
used in hazardous or potentially explosive locations.
o IECQ - IEC Quality Assessment System. All IECQ certificates and verification
statements are publicly accessible on the IECQ centralized on-line certificate
system, providing transparency and confidence to the global market.
o IECRE - The IEC System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for
Use in Renewable Energy Applications (IECRE) aims to facilitate international
trade in equipment and services for use in the renewable energy sectors while
maintaining the required level of safety and performance.

● Market Strategy Board - IEC Board delegates to the Market Strategy Board (MSB) the
identification and investigation of principle technological trends and market needs in the
Commission's fields of activity.
● Standardization Management Board - IEC Board delegates to the Standardization
Management Board (SMB) the management of the standards work of the Commission.

The SMB collaborates with the CAB and the MSB, and with other relevant bodies reporting
to the IEC Board.
o Technical committees
o Advisory Committees
o Systems Work
o Strategic Groups

IEC MEMBERSHIP

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is composed of National Committees

(NCs), with one committee representing each member country. These NCs serve as a crucial link,
ensuring that the national interests of their respective countries are represented in the global
standardization and conformity assessment work of the IEC.

The IEC provides a neutral forum where experts from industry, government, academia, and
user groups collaborate to find consensus on technical challenges. Individual experts and
companies cannot be direct members of the IEC; they must participate through their country's NC.

Membership is categorized into two main levels:

● Full Members: These countries have a fully established NC and can actively participate in
any technical committee, hold management positions, and have voting rights in the General
Assembly after paying an annual fee.
● Associate Members: These countries have limited access, with the ability to participate in
a restricted number of technical and subcommittees.
 INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION (IEC)

The IEC also offers a free Affiliate Country Programme for developing or newly industrializing
nations, allowing them to engage with the organization's work without the financial burden of full
membership.

International Electrotechnical Commission – National Committee of the Philippines

IEC NCP is a committee organized by the DTI-BPS which represents Philippines’

electrotechnical interests in the IEC's management, standardization, and conformity assessment
work and serves as the focal point for developing the consensus position of the country. It also
represents the country's electrotechnical stakeholders in its interactions with the IEC as well as the
ISO, Underwriters Laboratories, ASTM, and other international standards development
organizations. Membership to the NC is free of charge and offers several opportunities such as
access to the NC’s technical activities and management functions.

BENEFITS

● A forum in which formal networks that cross international borders may be easily developed.
● A place where participants can network within a vibrant community of customers,
manufacturers, technical experts and government representatives.
● An environment where companies and countries, regardless of their market share, size or
influence, can sit together as equal partners.

IEC AND PEC RELATION

In the Philippine Electrical Code article [Link] (D), it is stated that “The requirements in
this Code address the fundamental principles of protection for safety contained in Section 131 of
International Electrotechnical Commission Standard 60364-1, Electrical Installations of
Buildings.” This section of the Philippine Electrical Code makes it clear that the Philippine
Electrical Code is compatible with international safety standards and addresses the fact installations
that meet the requirements of the Philippine Electrical Code are also in compliance with the
fundamental principles outlined in NEC.

Section 131 of International Electrotechnical Commission Standard 60364-1

Contains fundamental principles of protection for safety that encompass protection against
thermal effects, protection against overcurrent, protection against fault currents, and protection
against overvoltage. All these potential hazards are addressed by the requirements of this Code.

IEC ELECTRICAL REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS

1. IEC 60034-1:2022 - Rotating electrical machines - Rating and performance. Is applicable

to all rotating electrical machines, except rotating electrical machines for rail and road
vehicles.
2. IEC 61439-1:2020 - General definitions and service conditions, construction requirements,
technical characteristics and verification requirements for low-voltage switchgear and
 INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION (IEC)

control gear assemblies. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition
published in 2011. It constitutes a technical revision.
3. IEC 60050-195:2021 - International Electrotechnical Vocabulary providing standardized
terminology for the field. It gives the fundamental terms and definitions concerning
earthing and protection against electric shock.
4. IEC 60076-1:2011 - Applies to three-phase and single-phase power transformers
(including autotransformers) except for certain categories of small and special
transformers. For those categories of power transformers and reactors which have their own
IEC standards, this part is applicable only to the extent in which it is specifically called up
by cross-reference in the other standard. (GENERAL)
• IEC 60076-2:2011 - Power transformers - Temperature rise for liquid immersed
transformers
• IEC 60076-3:2013 - Power transformers - Insulation levels, dielectric tests and
external clearances in air
• IEC 60076-4:2002 - Power transformers - Guide to the lightning impulse and
switching impulse testing - Power transformers and reactors
• IEC 60076-5:2006 - Power transformers - Ability to withstand short-circuit
• IEC 60076-6:2007 - Power transformers – Reactors.
• IEC 60076-7:2018 - Power transformers - Loading guide for mineral-oil-immersed
power transformers
• IEC 60076-8:1997 - Power transformers - Application guide
• IEC 60076-10:2016 - Power transformers - Determination of sound levels
5. IEC 60204-1:2016 - Safety of Machinery – Electrical Equipment. This applies to electrical,
electronic and programmable electronic equipment and systems to machines not portable
by hand while working, including a group of machines working together in a co-ordinated
manner. This sixth edition cancels and replaces the fifth edition published in 2005. It
constitutes a technical revision.
6. IEC 60027-1:1992(1995) - Letter Symbols for Electrical Technology (Corrected and
reprinted 1995-03-31)
7. IEC 60038:2009 - Voltage Standardization. This specifies standard voltage values which
are intended to serve as preferential values for the nominal voltage of electrical supply
systems, and as reference values for equipment and system design.
8. IEC 60287:2025 SER - Calculation of Current-Carrying Capacity in Cables (Electric
cables - ALL PARTS)
9. IEC 60479-1:2018 - Effects of current on human beings and livestock: General aspects.
This provides basic guidance on the effects of shock current on human beings and livestock.
10. IEC 61140:2016 - Protection against electric shock - Common aspects for installation and
equipment
11. IEC TS 61201: 2007 - Use of conventional touch voltage limits - Application guide

12. IEC 60051:2016 series - Direct acting indicating analogue electrical measuring instruments
and their accessories
13. IEC 60269-1:2024 - Low-voltage fuses - General requirements
 INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION (IEC)

• IEC 60269-2 - Low-voltage fuses - Supplementary requirements for fuses for use by
authorized persons (fuses mainly for industrial application) - Examples of standardized
systems of fuses A to K
14. IEC 60282-1:2020 - High-voltage fuses - Current-limiting fuses
15. IEC 60287-1-1:2023 - Electric cables - Calculation of the current rating - Current rating
equations (100% load factor) and calculation of losses – General
16. IEC 60364-1:2025 - Low-voltage electrical installations - Fundamental principles,
assessment of general characteristics, definitions
• IEC 60364-4-41 to IEC 60364-4-44 - Low-voltage electrical installations - Protection
for safety
• IEC 60364-5-51 to IEC 60364-5-56 - Selection and erection of electrical equipment
• IEC 60364-6 - Low-voltage electrical installations – Verification
• IEC 60364-7-701 to IEC 60364-7-753 - Requirements for special installations or
locations
• IEC60364-8-1 - Low-voltage electrical installations - Energy efficiency
• IEC60364-8-82 - Low-voltage electrical installations - Functional aspects - Prosumer's
low-voltage electrical installations
17. IEC 60445:2021 - Basic and safety principles for man-machine interface, marking and
identification - Identification of equipment terminals, conductors’ terminations and conductors
18. IEC 60644:2009/AMD1:2019 - Specification for high-voltage fuse-links for motor circuit
applications
19. IEC 60664 -1:2020 - Insulation coordination for equipment within low-voltage systems -
Principles, requirements and tests
20. IEC 60755:2017 - General requirements for residual current operated protective devices
 INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION (IEC)

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 INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION (IEC)

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